- Business Software Alliance Enhances Pan Regional Focus
- Dubai Desert Hosts "Inmarsat Mission Global - Dubai 2002"
- Takreer installs state-of-the-art application servers, storage and backup solutions Housewares & Hometech 2003 exhibition geared to showcase diversified range of household products
Guantanamo Bay Returnee Seeks to Sue U.S.
By Asif Farouqi, IOL Pakistan Correspondent
Sagheer has a number of terror tales to tell about his captivity in Guantanamo
ISLAMABAD, December 28 (IslamOnline) - The only Pakistani prisoner to return home from U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay Cuba is seeking legal advice to sue the U.S. government for compensation against his “illegal and unlawful” detention at the U.S. facility for almost one year.
Ansar Burney Welfare Trust has approached the Camp X-Ray returnee in his hometown in Pattan, in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, to offer him free legal aid in case he decides to sue the U.S. government for compensation.
“I am innocent. This is what I was told by the U.S. authorities upon my release,” 51 year old Muhammad Sagheer said in an interview. “But they never said sorry neither they offered anything to compensate me for they trouble caused to me during the interrogation at Camp X-Ray”.
Sagheer said he was given a hundred dollar bill at the time of his release on 27th October and was told that another hundred dollars will be received in Pakistan. “This is not enough” he says with a grim face. “The pain and miseries I went through during the year-long interrogation should be compensated in a proper way as they do in American legal system” Sagheer said with a deep look of determination in his eyes.
Sagheer has a number of terror tales to tell about his captivity in Cuba and in Kandhar and Shibarghan, Afghanistan. But he says the problem before him now is how to fix his Saw unit which has been serving as the sole bread-earner for his 20-member family. The Saw went out of order during his absence. None of his 18 children were able to get it fixed. They simply did not have enough money.
It was a routine preaching trip for the veteran preacher Sagheer except that it was this time in a foreign country, Afghanistan. Sagheer has been preaching the basic teachings of Islam mostly to his Muslim countrymen for years. This time, he was asked to go to Afghanistan for the same purpose and was arrested by the forces of Uzbek Warlord Dostam in Kunduz when it fell to the Northern Alliance in October.
Giving his account of the treatment given to the inmates at Guantanamo Bay, prison Sagheer said the only luxury available to the prisoners is a brief walk in the open twice a week. The prisoners were supposed to be allowed this “recreational” activity for up to 15 minutes two times a week. “But this seldom happened. The prisoners were never allowed to remain for full 15 minutes in the ground. We were forced back to our cells after 10 minutes or even less time in the ground,” Sagheer said.
Initially, the treatment meted out to the prisoner was cruel. All of the prisoners were forcefully shaven their heads and beards and were not allowed to say prayers, recite Quran or indulge in any other kind of religious activity or duty. But when most of the prisoners went on hunger strike which continued for over a month, some of these “facilities” were allowed to the inmates.
Most of the time of a prisoner, sagheer said, is spent in the eight feet by eight feet cell. Meals are served in the cells. The prisoners are allowed out of their cells for very few activities, including bathing (every second day), recreation (twice a week) and interrogation (very often). Whenever a prisoner leaves his cell, his wrists and ankles must be shackled. The wrist cuffs are attached to a belt at the waist to prevent any swinging of both arms together (although this waist restraint is removed at shower time). Any prisoner outside his cell is escorted by at least two guards.
Sagheer said he went to the interrogation tent for many times. “Everytime they show me some pictures of bearded persons and ask about them” Sagheer said. Sagheer said the meals served to the inmates are not enough. “The meals may carry enough calories but never could satisfy our hunger” he added.
Business Software Alliance Enhances Pan Regional Focus
Dubai,-29 December 2002
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) today announced that it has reviewed its management structure, to build on the success achieved so far in the fight against piracy and enhance its focus on pan regional campaigns. Mr. Jawad Al Redha, BSA regional director since 2001 has just been named Co-Chairman for the Middle East.
"The past few years have been formative for the BSA and all those involved in promoting copyright protection in the Middle East" said Jeffrey Steinhardt, Vice President of the BSA's Europe, Middle East and Africa committee, based in London.. "Governments, business and community organizations have done a lot to build world-class legal infrastructure for software copyright and to raise the level of respect for rights of authors. Now, cooperation among neighboring countries is needed to reduce piracy further, which is why we turn to launching pan-regional initiatives. Jawad's experience is very valuable to us and he is best placed to co chair the BSA's Middle East operations, as we move forwards."
"I am delighted to be offered the opportunity to assist in pan regional cooperation at a period of such promise for intellectual property rights in the Middle East" said Al-Redha. "We had many great moments in the past few years, every time we attained a new level in our fight against illegal software theft and violation of the rights of authors. Yet, there is still a lot to be achieved, and I look forward to continuing our cooperation with other stakeholders and the regional governments to overcome this phenomenon."
Born in the United Arab Emirates, Jawad Al Redha has strong experience in the public sector, where he was the Director of the press center and copyright enforcement at the UAE Ministry of Information and Culture. He later joined Microsoft Corporation as Education and Anti Piracy Manager before becoming the BSA's regional Director for the Middle East. Al Redha has also served as an expert with the World Intellectual Property Organization.-keralamonitor.com
Dubai Desert Hosts "Inmarsat Mission Global - Dubai 2002"
Dubai,- 24 December 2002
Inmarsat Mission Global, Dubai 2002 took place in Dubai where senior executives from the telecommunication, oil and gas, government and media sectors experienced the highest mobility and fastest connectivity that satellite connectivity today offers. The exciting event, the first of its kind for the region, demonstrated the full portfolio of Inmarsat voice and data services live and in the field, including for the first time the new Inmarsat Regional BGAN service which provides data services of up to 144kbit/s. Inmarsat's global senior management team, including its chief executive officer, Michael Storey, also attended the event. Storey, in a speech addressed to his guests, stressed on the primacy of global, fast and cost-effective connectivity in speeding the development of societies and businesses around the world.
The event, according to the company's regional director, Samer Halawi, demonstrated the importance of high mobility and high-speed connectivity to businesses and governments where telecom infrastructure does not exist. To achieve "Inmarsat Mission Global - Dubai 2002", teams competed on an off-road course, and scored using mobile voice and data satcoms. Halawi continued saying: "Our guests moved quickly and easily from one point of the desert to the other, assisted with a combination of satellite systems that delivered highest mobility and fastest connectivity that can be reached today from remote areas in the region." Ten four wheelers competed in a desert mapped by Inmarsat with a global positioning system that allowed the live monitoring of participants on the Internet. "Competing cars were equipped with Inmarsat C, which allowed us to follow the fleet from a dedicated website, and via signals transmitted from Inmarsat C to our satellites." explains Halawi. Each car was also equipped with an Inmarsat mini-M, a voice system that facilitated communication between competing teams and the base camp of the event.
Inmarsat Mission Global focused heavily on the company's next generation of broadband services, Inmarsat Regional BGAN, launched a day before the event. "Regional BGAN allowed participants to solve clues by gathering information from the Internet. Being in the desert and on the move, the event demonstrated the value of a truly mobile fast data satellite communication system." Regional BGAN delivers a seamless GPRS - compatible data service using 144kbit/s shared channels and via a light satellite modem linked with a laptop or computer.
It allows users in remote locations to access to their corporate networks, connect to the Internet, to their e-mail, and to set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and transfer files.
Inmarsat views the Middle East and North African markets to be the most vibrant and promising markets for satellite based communications technologies. Inmarsat Mission Global, according to Halawi, translates directly into the company's firm commitment to bringing to the region leading and exciting technologies that help address and solve its social and business development needs. Halawi ended saying: "Inmarsat Mission Global - Dubai 2002 that has been successful in achieving its objectives. Inmarsat will undertake the event to the region's countries, year after year." keralamonitor.com
Takreer installs state-of-the-art application servers, storage and backup solutions
Project powers the oil refining company to pursue expansion through enhanced IT infrastructure
December 29, 2002 The Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer) has installed advanced IT solutions to achieve higher integration and automation within the organisation. The solutions included application servers, Storage Area Network (SAN) storage, enterprise backup and disaster recovery system.
The project was executed by Emirates Computers by using best-of-breed technologies and proven solutions, and using reputed systems from IT vendors such as Dell, EMC and Veritas.
The new challenges facing the oil refining industry call for new generation solutions as Takreer pursues its goal of moving to integrated technologies that have become essential for optimizing operations.
Hani Harik, President of Emirates Computers, said: "As a leading oil refining company, Takreer needed state-of-the-art solutions, particularly in storage and backup areas, to ensure automation and integration. After making an intensive study of the existing systems and the requirements of Takreer, Emirates Computers complied with Takreer's requirements and made it fully compatible with advanced systems used by prestigious oil refining companies internationally."
"Emirates Computers is extremely proud of being selected by Takreer to strengthen its IT infrastructure, because this important contract further consolidates our reputation as an innovative IT solution provider in the UAE. It was a challenge to develop solutions that would meet the requirements of such a complex industry as oil refining. We could deliver the results with confidence because of our expertise gained through projects for several major companies and a team that is used to handling challenging assignments," Harik added.
Takreer, established in 1999 as a public joint stock company to handle refining operations earlier undertaken by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has been at the forefront of developing the UAE refining industry, and has prepared a new blueprint to play a leadership role in the oil refining business. keralamonitor.com
Housewares & Hometech 2003 exhibition geared to showcase diversified range of household products
Annual trade show to have increased participation from leading local and global manufacturers
December 28, 2002
Leading global and local manufacturers will exhibit a more diversified range of household products this year, at the annual Housewares & Hometech Middle East exhibition, to be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 17 to 20, 2003. Organised by Epoc Messe Frankfurt, a subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt, the world's third largest trade fair company, Housewares and Hometech has become the leading household product showcase in the region due to region's market buoyancy and increasing demand fuelled by an annual population growth of 4 per cent."The Middle East is one of the most vibrant markets for household products and the population growth in the region is among the fastest in the world, opening new vistas for manufacturers of home appliances and other products," said Michael El Nayal, Managing Partner, Epoc Messe Frankfurt. "Coupled with the population growth, there is a huge customer base which has been created by a sound economy supported by the oil revenues. The availability of retail space due to the emergence of new and bigger shopping malls, markets and retail stores also ensures an extensive clientele."
"Exhibitors participating in Housewares and Hometech are aiming to tap the huge Middle East market by marketing their leading products at the show which acts as a platform in the region," added El Nayal. "Dubai's position as a major re-export center is another critical element that makes the show such an unqualified success and attracts some of the biggest brands from across the globe. Bookings and inquiries received so far indicate that Housewares & Hometech 2003 is heading for a record response from exhibitors and a bigger turnout of trade visitors."
Household products on display at the Housewares and Hometech show will include household and kitchen appliances, electrical appliances, vacuum cleaners, cleaning materials, glassware, bathroom accessories, floor & carpet care and gift items.
Housewares & Hometech 2002, held in February 2002, succeeded in attracting around 200 exhibitors from 20 countries, including Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Korea, India, Taiwan Italy, France, Argentina, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Norway, China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Hong Kong, Turkey, Egypt and Russia. Over 500 different brands were present, offering a range of over 1500 products.
"Among the trade visitors, 57 per cent were representing stores, agents and wholesalers who used the show to develop contacts with the aim of sourcing products," said El Nayal. "The rest comprised serious buyers from the region's retail chains placing orders with several exhibitors."
A number of overseas pavilions made their presence at the show, including a large German pavilion supported by German Government and a trade association; a group from the British Hardware & Housewares Manufacturers Association; a group of companies from the Philippines and several national pavilions from the Far East. keralamonitor.com
